'May will bring back deal for third vote' says ex-Tory minister

Tory former Defence Minister Guto Bebb, who backs the People’s Vote campaign for a second referendum, believed the PM might try and bring back her deal for a third time next week.

He said: “It would be somewhat insulting to Parliament to bring a meaningful vote 3 next week, but I wouldn’t be surprised if that happens.

“I do genuinely feel that having been defeated by 230 and then 149 votes, it would be rather insulting to Parliament to bring back the same motion again.

“The ERG view, which is that they cold get a no-deal on March 29, has been shown to be simply not correct, so I wouldn’t be surprised if they had a feeling in Government that the ERG might cave.

“It would be highly odd to see a Government bring back something that has not changed at all from a defeat of 149.

“I sincerely hope they don’t do that. To ram through a deal which has been rejected so comprehensively twice would be an affront to our Parliament.”

(Image: Daily Post Wales)

21:11

ERG member backs Meaningful Vote 3 saying there is a 'gun to my head'

ERG member Simon Clarke MP said he will back the deal if it comes to the house again.

Speaking on ITV he said: “There is a gun to my head at this point and I think voters will appreciate we have a very limited range of options left if we want to actually honour the manifesto commitment of leaving the EU at all.“So effectively it is now a bad Brexit deal or no Brexit , which is absolutely ghastly.“Parliament tonight made a colossal mistake.”

21:09

Search how your MP voted as 13 Tory ministers defy Theresa May

MPs have defeated Theresa May by voting to completely reject No Deal Brexit in a massive, historic upset.

They threw out a watered-down motion by the Prime Minister that would have “declined” No Deal, but left it as the default option.

LONDON, ENGLAND -DECEMBER 6: Environment Secretary Michael Gove and Secretary for the Department for Work and Pensions Amber Rudd leave Number 10 Downing Street following a meeting of cabinet ministers on December 06, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Jack Taylor/Getty Images) (Image: Jack Taylor)

20:19

Government table motion asking for extension of negotiations with EU

20:15

Corbyn statement in full after Government suffers another brutal defeat

Jeremy Corbyn MP, Leader of the Labour Party, speaking in the House of Commons after the vote against No Deal, said:

Tonight this House has once again definitely ruled out No Deal. The Prime Minister said the choice was between her deal and No Deal.

In the last 24 hours Parliament has decisively rejected both her deal and No Deal.

While an extension of Article 50 is now inevitable, the responsibility for that extension lies solely and squarely at the Prime Minister’s door.

But extending Article 50 without a clear objective is not a solution.

Parliament must now take control of the situation. In the days that follow, myself, the Shadow Brexit Secretary and others will have meetings with members across this House to find a compromise solution that can command support in the House.

This means doing what the Prime Minister failed to do two years ago: search for a consensus on the way forward. “Labour has set out a credible alternative plan.

Honourable members across this House are coming forward with proposals, whether that’s for a permanent customs union, a public vote, Norway Plus or other ideas.

Let us, as a House of Commons work now to find a solution - to deal with the crisis facing the country and the deep concerns that many people have for their livelihood, their lives, their future, their jobs, their communities and their factories.

It’s up to us, as the House of Commons, to look for and find a solution to their concerns. That is what we were elected to do

David Mundell, the Secretary of State for Scotland, abstained on the motion - against the three line whip of his party.

Normally he would be bound to resign but the Scotsman is reporting he won’t be.

This is a direct challenge to the PM’s authority.

19:59

Corbyn announces he will hold meeting with MPs as 'Parliament takes control' of Brexit

The Labour leader says from tomorrow he will hold meetings with MPs from across the House of Commons to draft a deal that could pass.

(Image: PA)

19:56

May warns delays may see UK take part in EU elections

Theresa May says motion tomorrow will give MPs the chance to vote to extend Article 50 for a short period only if they agree to her deal.

The alternative she warns is a longer extension with EU elections.

She told MPs: “Such an extension would undoubtedly require the UK to hold European Parliamentary elections“I do not think that would be the right outcome.“But the House needs to face up to the consequences of the decisions it has taken.”

19:52KEY EVENT

CHAOS REIGNS: Government whipped against its own motion and STILL LOSES 321-278

It is believed that a number of ministers abstained meaning they will be forced to resign.

DWP minister Sarah Newton is believed to have voted for the motion, originally put down by the government, and therefore considered to have resigned.

19:43

Government suffers ANOTHER embarrassing defeat

In the House of Lords that government has suffered three defeats to the Trade Bill today.

19:38KEY EVENT

Government will now whip against its own motion and in favour of No Deal

In a last minute development - and revealing the total chaos we are living through - the Government will now whip against its own motion according to Christopher Hope of the Telegraph.

Just seven hours after the PM said she would vote for it at PMQs.

19:34

Malthouse compromise comprehensively defeated

MPs voted 164 for - 374 against to reject the motion

19:24

One of Parliament's experts wades in to explain the Spelman vote

19:19KEY EVENT

MPs back Spelman amendment 312 to 308 ruling out No Deal in all circumstances

The amendment toughens up the government amendment. It means MPs vote to reject no deal in all circumstances.

It is unclear if it effects the legal position that without an agreed withdrawal the UK crashes out of the EU on 29th March.

19:01

Spelman amendment moved by Yvette Cooper

It was looking for someone to move it after Caroline Spelman abandoned it under pressure from the Prime Minister.

18:45

Tory Brexiteer said public will 'revolt' against parliament if it blocks No Deal

Tory Brexiteer Sir John Redwood threatened a public revolt against Parliament if MPs voted to block a no-deal Brexit.

Demanding the Government ditch Mrs May’s deal in favour of a no-deal exit before seeking a free trade deal with the EU, he said: “This Parliament must allow us to leave on March 29 otherwise it will be the people against the Parliament.”

Tory Remainer Dominic Grieve, former attorney general, said he found it “very troubling” to see Conservative colleagues support no deal just because they were dissatisfied with Mrs May’s deal.

“It is an extraordinary form of frenzy,” the Beaconsfield MP said. “You smash up the china first and then when you’re not satisfied with the china you’ve smashed you decide to smash some more.

“That is what we’re facing and it’s my duty to do everything I possibly can to prevent it.”

(Image: AFP/Getty Images)

18:25

5 surprises in the Spring Statement 2019 small print that got buried by Brexit

Things have been busy with Brexit today, so you probably missed all this.

Addressing the UK’s tariff proposals in the event of a no-deal Brexit, Mr Varadkar said that Northern Ireland will become a backdoor to the European single market.

He said: “I don’t think the UK’s proposals will be workable for very long. They propose to treat Northern Ireland differently from the rest of the UK. “Northern Ireland will become a backdoor to the European single market and I think that in a matter of months that will lead to the need for checks at Northern Ireland’s ports.

“So, those that opposed the agreement may find that something very akin to the backstop is applied by the UK Government in a few weeks time.”

Mr Varadkar also said that in the event of a no-deal Brexit the European customs code will apply to goods exported from the UK to the EU. He continued: “That will obviously have a severe impact on the UK economy, and the Northern Ireland economy in particular.

“Westminster can take the no-deal off the table this evening and if they do so then there is the potential to look at alternatives, for example the UK staying in the customs union.”

(Image: REUTERS)

Macron says withdrawal agreement is closed and not a reason to extend article 50

French President Emmanuel Macron has said Britain would need to come up with a clear reason for requesting an extension to the March 29 deadline for leaving the European Union, saying extra time could not be used to renegotiate the withdrawal.

“The withdrawal agreement is not negotiable,” Macron said during a visit to Kenya.

“If the British ask for a delay it could perhaps be a technical delay to allow more time to put their departure in place. “But if an additional delay is requested, they need to explain why,” he added.

“It cannot be to allow more negotiations over something we’ve already negotiated for many months and said cannot be further negotiated.”

(Image: AFP/Getty Images)

16:35

Labour challenged to follow through on second referendum promise

Labour’s Sir Keir was challenged on whether his party was still pursuing a second referendum, as he told MPs the Government’s Brexit deal has reached a “hopeless end”.

He said: “In those circumstances, both of the things we were ruling out in our manifesto - the red lines of the Prime Minister and no-deal - are the only things on the table, and that is why we support a public vote to protect against those outcomes.

“I am proud that we’re doing that at this stage of the exercise and it’s obvious why we need to do so.” Independent MP Anna Soubry, a former Tory minister, asked Sir Keir if Labour would support a motion or amendment for a “people’s vote”.

Sir Keir replied: “The Leader of the Opposition two weeks ago Monday made it clear that we would support an amendment to that end or put one forward for ourselves. “Timing depends on discussions across the House and with others, but that’s the clear position that we put down.”

The Labour Brexit spokesman ends his speech by saying that he hopes that the vote tonight will “bury no deal so deep that it never resurfaces”.

16:23

Parliament may get a chance for 'indicative votes'

MPs may get a chance on Thursday to vote on whether to have indicative votes on different Brexit options, Michael Gove has said.

When asked by a lawmaker if the government would grant a series of indicative votes on how to leave the EU, Mr Gove told parliament: “I think that, depending on how the House votes today, we may have an opportunity to vote on that proposition tomorrow.”

Michael Gove making his defence of the Prime Minister (Image: Sky News)

16:13KEY EVENT

Direct rule in Northern Ireland could follow No Deal Gove warns

Mr Gove claimed direct rule in Northern Ireland could be a consequence of a no-deal Brexit on March 29.

Independent unionist Lady Sylvia Hermon said MPs, including the DUP, must give “due weight to the serious warning” issued by the head of the Northern Ireland civil service David Sterling about the “grave consequences” if there is a no-deal Brexit.

Mr Gove said she was “absolutely 100% totally right”, adding legislation issued by the Westminster Government to empower Northern Ireland’s civil servants to take decisions is “sustainable at the moment” and it is hoped the executive can be restored.

He went on: “But it is also clear that the current situation with no executive would be very, very difficult to sustain in the uniquely challenging context of a no-deal exit.

“Now we, in the circumstances that the House has voted for no-deal, would have to start formal engagement with the Irish government about further arrangements for providing strengthened decision-making in the event of that outcome, and that would include the very real possibility of imposing a form of direct rule.

“Now that is a grave step and experience shows us it’s very hard to return from that step, and it’d be especially difficult in the context of no-deal.”

(Image: PA)

16:06

Caroline Spelman is 'no longer backing her own amendment'

Dame Caroline Spelman, a former Conservative Party chairwoman has reportedly decided not to support her own amendment the BBC is reporting.

It means that her amendment, which would rule out leaving without a deal may not be moved - as it is currently down in her name.

But speaker could allow another sponsor to push it to a vote.

(Image: REUTERS)

15:54

Labour MP asks Speaker to clarify if Government can keep bringing same motion

Labour’s Angela Eagle said Gove made it clear that the government intends to put the same motion to the Commons again.

“Surely that is out of order?”, she asks.

John Bercow said at some point in the future he might have to rule on the issue.

Labour’s Hilary Benn then asks Michael Gove why it’s “democratic” to bring back a deal to the House that’s been defeated, but “undemocratic” to have a fresh vote on the referendum.

Gove replied last night’s defeat by 149 votes was “significantly different” from the 230 vote defeat in January.

Lots of people laughed.

(Image: Parlement)

15:43

Soubry v Gove - it is almost like they don't like each other

An embarrassing spat, especially when you remember both the people involved are adults, broke our between Michael Gove and Anna Soubry as part of this debate.

It erupted after it emerged that a cross-party amendment to take no deal off the table may not be put to the vote.

Recently Independent MP Anna Soubry said Dame Caroline Spelman, a former Conservative Party chairwoman, was unlikely to put her motion “if the Government whips against”.

Pointing out how the Prime Minister’s motion left no deal on the table as the default, Ms Soubry said: “Is it the case the Government is giving a free vote on the (Malthouse) amendment and yet it is whipping against (Spelman)?

“It’s a shameful carry on when a former chairman of the Conservative Party is whipped against to the extent she will not push that amendment to the vote.

“This House will be denied the chance to take no-deal off the table - that’s the truth of it isn’t it?” Dodging the question, Mr Gove replied: “She is a distinguished criminal barrister and now I know what it’s like to be cross-examined by her but I also know why barristers are paid by the hour.”

Which Anna Soubry really didn’t like.

A video of the tiff is here.

15:35

Gove's nauseating suck-up in all its gory detail

Opening the debate Michael Gove paid tribute to Theresa May - which is astonishing based on how much they dislike each other.

Here are his full comments - I hope you aren’t eating.

“She may temporarily have lost her voice, but what she has not lost, and will never lose, is her focus in the national interest, and a full-hearted desire to do what is right for our country.”

The Environment Secretary said since Mrs May lost the first meaningful vote on her Withdrawal Agreement in January she has spent “more than 19 hours at the despatch box”, and: “Has shown fortitude, tenacity, thoughtfulness, diligence - and above all an unselfish and unstinting patriotism.”

Mr Gove said it was only appropriate that “on all sides of the House” MPs recognise the way in which the Prime Minister “always, always, always puts country first”.

15:32

Gove warns businesses, farmers and country would face 'challenging circumstances' with no deal exit

Farmers would face “very challenging circumstances” in the event of a no-deal Brexit, the Environment Secretary told Parliament.

He has warned that too many businesses have not made the preparations that are needed - and that customs posts are not in place to deal with the transport of agricultural goods.

It would would mean sheep and beef farmers instantly facing EU tariffs of at least 40% “affecting the “economic and social health” of the countryside

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 11: Secretary of State for Environment, Michael Gove at 10 Downing Street on March 11, 2019 in London, England. Brexit talks between the EU and UK have been described by Downing Street as "deadlocked" after weekend negotiations failed to find a breakthrough ahead of tomorrow's vote on Theresa May's deal in Parliament. (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images) (Image: Leon Neal)